University of Michigan police seek charges against National Guard member who sneaked into Michigan-Michigan State game
A member of the military who didn't have a ticket to the University of Michigan-Michigan State game was able to make his way onto the field undetected armed with two rifles, campus police confirmed this afternoon.
But U-M police spokeswoman Diane Brown said the weapons did not have ammunition and were checked before he entered the stadium. She said no one was in danger at any point.
"It was very unfortunate that this man abused his uniform and his position to gain access to the stadium unauthorized," Brown said this afternoon. "It's very disappointing."
The 42-year-old man's name has not been released, and it's unclear where he is stationed or what discipline he could face from the military. Brown said he is in the National Guard and is based in Southeast Michigan.
Police turned the case over to prosecutors for possible criminal charges of illegal entry and illegal possession of a weapon in the stadium.
At each home game, honor guard members from campus ROTC groups and their commanders raise and lower the flag in the south end zone on the field, Brown said.
The man who gained entry is apparently part of his unit's honor guard, and showed up at the Oct. 9 game dressed in full military honor guard gear, driving a military vehicle. He parked at the U-M Department of Public Safety building near the stadium, and officers there checked his weapons to ensure they didn't have ammunition, Brown said.
The officers there don't have the list of honor guard members authorized to get in the stadium, she said. At the stadium, he got in through the tunnel to access the field, she said.
During the game, a member of the honor guard alerted a campus police officer that the man was not part of that group, Brown said. He was then questioned and escorted out of the stadium.
The game started at 3:30 p.m., and the campus police log shows officers made contact with him at 4:12 p.m. Brown said he was questioned and released pending charges.
"He was compliant and repeated several times that he had no ill will and couldn't get tickets to the game, so he thought he could use his military uniform to get in," Brown said. "No one in the public was put in danger."
Brown said she didn't know whether the man was a U-M graduate.
Campus police have discussed the incident with other local law enforcement agencies and athletic staff.
"We're continually reviewing our safety protocols, and this has been a topic of discussion," she said.
Amalie Nash is the News Director at AnnArbor.com. Reach her at amalienash@annarbor.com or 734-623-2521.
Comments
AlphaAlpha
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 11:08 p.m.
(gun) - (ammo) = club. Vewy Scawy.
Atticus F.
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 1:29 p.m.
Now where are all the people who thought it was ok to call the swat team on Bill Riney? I think I recall one poster saying it was perfectly acceptable to call a swat team on Riney because he MIGHT have had a gun. This person did in fact have a gun and was surrounded by 100,000+ people... I guess if you're a peacefull protester, it's ok to call in a sniper. And if you're in uniform illegally carrying a gun around 100k people, you're simpley asked to leave. Reminds me of the mentality that lead to the Kent State shootings.
Skipit3
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 12:47 p.m.
@Ricebrnr, You either did not read my post in its entirety or you're just picking and choosing which statement from it to discuss. I don't agree either with that poster suggesting that the Guardsman should have been given a free pass; a person that does the wrong thing deserves to pay for it regardless of his/her status. In fact, that Guardsman will pay for his mistake more than a regular civilian would. After facing the civilian justice system, he will have to face the military justice system as well. However, you are so far off in your belief that the military receives special treatments and consequently, service members abuse their power. Sure, as with everything else, there will always be one or two knuckleheads that will abuse the system, but the appreciation that some organizations show to service members is no different than what is shown by some organizations to students, to boyscouts, to the red cross, etc. My comments did not imply in any way "that BECAUSE this person is a Service Member he should be given a free pass." As I pointed out: "Most service members are hard working, honest folks who ask nothing from society although they have given so much. Some organizations show their gratitude and appreciation by giving them some freebees every now and then." There is nothing wrong with those organizations that show appreciation. Likewise, I don't condemn those that don't. Nonetheless, to show appreciation to a group does not equate giving that group a free pass.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 11:02 a.m.
@Skipit3 Since you missed it the first posting:.. I don't discount the sacrifices of our service people but that does not give them a free pass You responded to my questioning a previous comment advocating giving this person a pass and letting him watch the game. That and other comments including yours implied that BECAUSE this person is a Service Member he should be given a free pass. Some organizations show their gratitude and appreciation by giving them some freebees ever now and then. I dispute that and if that makes you think Im somehow unpatriotic, unsympathetic or otherwise against authorities and our service members, then know this: Nothing could be further from the truth. One can appreciate Service members of any stripe without kowtowing to them. One can question authority without being against them. Boil it down to its basics; 1)A person uses his position to gain access to and gain benefit from something of value that he did not or would not otherwise have had access to. If this was a politician, Id call it corruption and graft. What would you call it? 2)A person uses his uniform to do things that are illegal (carrying weapons in a prohibited zone, trespassing, etc). If this were a police officer, Id call it abuse under the color of authority. What would you call it? 3) If any other person did as he did, would there be any comments regarding giving him a pass. Bygones, no harm, no foul? I think not. You stated yourself that this person dishonored himself and will likely pay a heavy price for his mistake. I agree, why are you arguing with me about it?
Skipit3
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 10:19 a.m.
@Ricebrnr, Service members don't get free passes as you seem to suggest. Some people appreciate their service and some people like you don't. That Guardsman was a dishonor to himself, his Guard unit, and the Army in general. He got into the stadium under false pretense as a member of the color guard unit and I believe he will pay a heavy price for that regrettable mistake. That doesn't mean that UM gives special favor to service members or lets them in for free, just because they are service members. Most service members are hard working, honest folks who ask nothing from society although they have given so much. Some organizations show their gratitude and appreciation by giving them some freebees ever now and then. After all, I hope you at least appreciate that dog that keeps your house from getting robbed while you're away or sleeping.
walker101
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 8:20 a.m.
If he had access for 2 M-16's what other weapons can he get outside his base on a whim, M-60, grenades, couple of detonators with a little explosives. Not only should he be in deep trouble but also his superiors for letting this happen. When this gets out they'll be plenty of people whose careers will go down in flames, if he could do this with no problems someone will take it another step forward and set up a disaster for a cause. Unfortunately he needs to spend some time in jail and watch the game from his cell.
walker101
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 7:59 a.m.
Taking military weapons off base unauthorized will get you in plenty of trouble alone, so much for his career for a bone head play. Now he'll be watching football from a Federal prison.
golfbum
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 4:51 a.m.
1. Let this guy view the next few seasons from a tv room at WVCF, if a crime. Not a crime and he was just a stupid jerk, then his Guard unit might arrange for him to spend game Saturdays doing community service. 2. Fire the security guards. We have unemployed with better judgement looking for work.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 12:05 a.m.
@Skipit3 I don't discount the sacrifices of our service people but that does not give them a free pass. If anything the power that is wielded by them demands greater accountability not less. Giving them a free pass on little things? How many little things make a big thing? At what point should it be addressed? The path you advocate leads to corruption. For the rest of us lowly peons that means subjugation. Don't believe? Why don't you look at all the cities with their police forces under federal oversight and ask yourself "how did this happen?"
Mick52
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.
Somebody goofed big time and waved him in. If I were still in the business of getting arrest warrants, I would request a false pretenses warrant 750.218 using the "valuable thing" or "use of facility" element. Works for a lot of shenanigans. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28eri3o255gck2y045delwkdf5%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-750-218
Ron Granger
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 2:48 p.m.
Wow. Complete breakdown of security. And they want to close Main Street? So they examined the rifles, but then let the rifles into the stadium? I seriously doubt they physically searched him. If not, then he could have been hiding ammo on his person. As Deb asked, what about the punishment for those who allowed him into the stadium? Thank god he didn't sneak any water bottles in!
Bananagunz
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 2:23 p.m.
This is exactly why I always carry my weapon to home games, federal buildings, bars, schools and everywhere else. If there are going to be people walking around with their guns, then I sure want to have mine on me. I can't guess a man's intentions or mental stability; and there's few things worse than being unprepared in a bad situation.
Skipit3
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 2 p.m.
Ricebrnr: "That's the problem with giving special dispensation to some groups. At some point you have to ask why aren't you or I also "special"?" I bet you've never served in the military; and if you have, I bet you've never been in combat. Perhaps the reason you or I are not also "special" is because you or I are not willing or are unable to make the sacrifices some of those "special" people have made or are making every day in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not that I agree with what that guardsman did, but it takes some "special" individuals to leave family and friends behind for months at a time to go expose their lives to all sorts of hazards and hardships.
Matt Damon
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
Sometimes you just have to say something out load to realize it is wrong. "We are going to allow this person to carry two rifles into a stadium with 100,000 people and we are not sure if he should be here or not". I guess my trust is in the other people who are able to get guns into the stadium. It isn't hard people, but this guy made it funny.
quetzalcoatl
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.
Come out of the ether and wake up people! Here is a man we are told is an actual member of a National Guard Honor Unit armed with two rifles. Posing as a member of a university ROTC Honor Unit, he treacherously wormed his way into the throbbing inner heart of U-M football, simply sashaying his way through an airtight cordon of armed, elite U-M Department of Public Safety officers. How likely is that? I don't think so. More plausibly, this is only the latest iteration of roving bands of homeless SSI recipients stoned out of their minds on medical marijuana seeking to have their nefarious way with the good people of our blessed community. Clearly, the secret agenda here was to make U-M security look bad just as debate opens on closing Main Street against shadowy terrorist threats. I mean, if all it takes is a uniform one could have rented at a Halloween shop to get past the ever-vigilant U-M Department of Public Safety, then how are we to be expected to rely on their professionalism as the basis for closing a major public thoroughfare? No, folks, this is simply one more example of radical, illegal immigrant, pro-Muslim, homeless mendicants abusing our steadfast and forthright patriotic willingness to help those less fortunate than ourselves, except the poor. Do not be misled by these transparent attempts to make us feel safe, and remember to support the new jail the next time a $350 million bond issue appears on the ballot. Provided, of course, that the measure specifically bans cable television access.
jns131
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 8:58 a.m.
Within the last week or so AA Police wanted the Main street area blocked off to avoid any possible terrorism or other from happening. If you think about it, what is the best way to get ones attention? Killing or maiming 100,000 plus in a football stadium. Heck, it sure got our attention when two airplanes took out the twin towers, killing 3,000 people. What is 3,000 people compared to 100,000? Just think about that one for a while. If the middle east, this was stated thru this newspaper a few years back that the terrorists over seas had blue prints of a few school up near Hartland. Then it was discover they had a blueprint of a school bus. This is documented by the AA Police, a red car was taking pictures of AA school buses a few years ago. Weird. Now that we live in a day and age where anything can happen, from blowing up a school bus, that would make headlines, to the twin towers to a man walking in with two rifles? Folks, this is a wake up call to the realization we are not in Kansas anymore. The world is not as safe as we would like it to seem. Thank the stars that nothing happened....yet. AA police? Blocking Main street is a good idea, in my opinion.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 7:55 a.m.
@OSUbeBetter Civil rights as far as firearms and the U of M is concerned end at it's property lines thanks to carve outs to that effect in the Michigan Constitution. It's a misdemeanor and 60 days in jail to carry at all on their property. So yes one side of a street and you are ok. Cross the street and on the sidewalk you are in trouble.
timeatwork
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 7:47 a.m.
sneaking into big10 stadiums is very easy. i've found my way into spartan stadium, michigan stadium, camp randall, ryan field, and kinnick without a ticket. without a gun as well. being well-dressed and white really has its advantages at some places.
Heather Murray
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 6:35 a.m.
U of M is a private entity. What about the security breaches at US airports every year? If people can crash a white house engagement, breach security on US military bases, a football game breach of security is for certain. Get over it people.
OSUbeBetter
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 3:48 a.m.
Is this a Democrat forum now? Wheres all the 2nd ammendment Republicans at? If everyone in the stands had a gun, that would be awesome. The safest place on earth.
OSUbeBetter
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 : 12:29 a.m.
I thought there were Open Carry Laws. Is the Stadium a federal building? Its off campus right? Come on Michigan, Let the army guy watch the game. Rodriguez wasnt a part of the USO College Coaches tour this summer was he?
tlb1201
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 10:41 p.m.
What I can't understand is why anyone other than the proper law enforcement personnel with the job of guarding the stadium was allowed to enter with an actual working weapon, loaded or not, legal to be there or not. Wouldn't it be more appropriate for the honor guard to have some kind of non-working replica ceremonial guns like you see in parades, etc?
Justice4all
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 10:37 p.m.
Bottom line...SCARY!
daddio422010
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 8:26 p.m.
He was there to put the Michigan Defense out of its misery.
saginaw
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 8:11 p.m.
I read in DetNews.com that we have many homeless folks in Ann Arbor. They are people too. Maybe we can create one section of the house for the homeless?
Schleggy
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 8:07 p.m.
This reminds me of the time a few years back when some kid flew his remote control airplane over the stadium at the end of a football game. Local law enforcement and prosecutors, perhaps embarrassed by their own inability to secure the stadium, tried and tried to find some way to charge the kid but there simply was no violation of the law. Currently, UM and its security force led by rookie Chief Ken Magee, is attempting to convince us that they need to shut down Main Street because of possible terrorist activity. Yet Magee and his campus cops are not able to even stop someone from walking right into the stadium with a weapon. A weapon! (if only he had been carrying a bottle of water). They say they confirmed the weapon was empty. But did they also do a thorough search of his person to ensure he didn't have any ammunition stashed elsewhere? Bring in professionals to run this operation, not campus cops.
win
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 8:05 p.m.
I wonder how much hysteria there would be if this honorable man was of middle eastern background. All the news shows and politicians across the country would be fear mongering. It would be the latest terrorist threat. And I wonder how it would be spun at the University. Just sad that someone can come into a place packed with hundreds of thousands of fans carrying a weapon. Can some one explain why he or anyone else needed to carry a weapon into the stadium?The fact that it was unloaded is irrelevant. With the Militia literally just a few miles down the road? All the sudden, I don't feel safe in that stadium.
AlphaAlpha
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 7:24 p.m.
Doesn't this just prove we need full body scans for all guests? For security, of course... "Your papers, please?"
Brad
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 7:06 p.m.
Sounds like possibly he showed up at the gate looking official and was invited in. I don't see how that can be a crime. Embarrassing for the people who let him in - yes.
Cash
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 6:43 p.m.
Mark A...you are so right. Poor guy.
Kai Petainen
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 6:37 p.m.
Tony, thanks.
bobr
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 6:22 p.m.
He could be prosecuted for seeking entry without either a ticket or an authorized pass. He probably parked illegally too--which could create a problem if there was an emergency and legitimate rescue or law enforcement personnel had access problems. He will and should have some serious problems with his Guard Unit for using parts of his uniform and perhaps his weapons in an unauthorized manner. I doubt his use of any military vehicle extended to attending a football game. The only people that should have weapons in a crowded stadium are law enforcement personnel that are part of the University Public Safety Department or authorized by the Dept. Be interesting to hear what his explanation is.
Matt
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 6:16 p.m.
Does anybody agree with me that Tate Forcier should be QB and Denard should be a running back?
Bill Kerans
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 6:10 p.m.
I've got an idea. Let's close Main Street! That'll put a stop to these security breaches.
Kai Petainen
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 6:09 p.m.
I'm trying to see this incident listed in the daily incident report. Is it in there? http://police.umich.edu/?s=crime_log&d=2010/10/17 If not, why not?
nickcarraweigh
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 6:04 p.m.
We can't say we weren't warned. Only days ago, the U-M Department of Public Safety offically warned the citizens of Ann Arbor that their very lives may be in danger if S. Main St. is not blockaded before and after football games, say from the Wednesday before a home game until the following Tuesday. But would we listen? The uncomfortable truth is, no. Had the street been closed and the 111,000-plus fans herded at a snail's pace through a labyrinth of razor-ribbon security points, chances are excellent that alert observation by the eagle-eyed U-M Public Safety officers would have resulted in them noticing this man was, in fact, carrying two rifles. Not to mention how many contraband bottles of smuggled water would likely also have been undercovered, and any number of concealed ham sandwiches, especially during times of elevated alerts when the strip-search tents would have been spread open wide. I hope this unfortunate incident may finally cause us to learn to rely on the wisdom of U-M Security when it comes to inconveniencing citizens and closing public thoroughfares. People, these guys are professionals! They know what they are doing! We have to treat them like our doctors, our lawyers and our used car salesmen. We have to trust them! As for the apprehended perpetrator, he clearly should have some kind of distinguishing tattoo inscribed on his forehead after his eventual prison release, and his movements should be tracked on annarbor.com for several decades to come.
3 And Out
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 5:44 p.m.
Well...apparently it is just as easy to get through our front gates as it is to get through our defense.
Ricebrnr
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 5:33 p.m.
"Too bad the campus police don't have better things to do than to ruin some guy's career over wanting to see a Michigan football game." Would you say the same if he wasn't in the military? If it was just some guy who put on a costume and carried rifles into the stadium? Would his career be ruin worthy then? That's the problem with giving special dispensation to some groups. At some point you have to ask why aren't you or I also "special"?
David Briegel
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 5:03 p.m.
If I could still fit in my dress greens I might have given it a try! eyeheart, need any ammo?
Mark A.
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 4:31 p.m.
I think he'll get in more trouble from the national guard than he will from the police or the university.
NUXI
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.
Social engineering at it's finest! I would like to buy this man a beer!
Greggy_D
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 4:10 p.m.
If he was let in by a member of UM's staff, then how could he be charged with anything? They asked him to leave and he did. Now if he returned after being asked to leave, he could be charged with trespassing.
Ricebrnr
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 3:56 p.m.
You'd think before the UofM would ban water and attempt to close public streets due to "security" and the bogeyman terrorism, they'd think to fix their own security holes. I guess logic and reason is in short supply in the ivory tower.
Deb
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 3:44 p.m.
Who's going to punish the ones that should have barred him from getting in in the first place?
jameslucas
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.
So what kind of threat does this guy pose, that a person with a ticket and an unchecked purse dose not pose?
Kafkaland
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 3:27 p.m.
Seems like the Captain of Kpenick is alive and well... And shame if anyone thinks that there may be a parallel between Prussia around 1900 and the US today.
Ignatz
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 3:04 p.m.
Maybe I can get in with my Abrams, if I unload all the ammo first. You can park those things anywhere!
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.
Given how easy it would be to smuggle ammunition in the stadium, I'm amazed that someone without specific credentials would be allowed in with any rifle - unloaded or loaded. Yeah, seek charges against the guy, but there needs to be significant changes to the security detail in general. Less focus on purses, more focus on real threats.
Lokalisierung
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 2:59 p.m.
Heck MjC, he got in for free too! Putting my assault rifles in my car now.
MjC
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 2:58 p.m.
I can't get in with a purse or a water bottle, but I can if I'm carrying two unloaded rifles?
Lokalisierung
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 2:55 p.m.
So that's why the attendence numbers are different every week.